Friendship - "Thank you for saving my baby's life - Giving is the best medicine - Starship
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Friendship Autumn 2018 Giving is the best medicine “Thank you for saving my baby’s life...” P8
In this Introducing our new
CEO, Aisha Daji Punga.
A word from our new
Chief Executive, Aisha...
edition: Page
A few short weeks ago we welcomed our outstanding new Chief
Executive into the Starship Foundation family.
Dear Friend,
I’m so glad to be able to say hello to you for the first
Introducing our new CEO, Aisha Daji Punga has more than 20 years’ FMCG and time as the new Chief Executive of this wonderful
Aisha Daji Punga. 2 telecommunications experience in global commercial development, Foundation. Starship is a true treasure for all New
marketing strategy, new ventures and strategic planning. Zealanders, and for every one of our children. spearheading
A word from our new an effort of an
But Aisha brings much more than business acumen and senior What I have experienced in my first few weeks has
Chief Executive, Aisha... 3 accelerated
management experience to the Starship Foundation. She is a been a real sense of family. A family within the
impact for our
passionate advocate of children’s health and wellbeing, demonstrated hospital, the patients and families, the Foundation,
Could you run for their Kiwi kids. Our
4 by her volunteering her time over the last 12 years with the Life donors and sponsors – all with a passion to help us
lives? aspiration is to raise $20 million annually by 2023
Education Trust, and more recently mentoring at the Akina Foundation better the lives of our Kiwi kids faster. Some of the
towards high priority health and wellbeing areas.
5 and being involved with Ko Awatea and the South Auckland Health key highlights have been meeting two inspirational
“Our little warrior.” We will continue with our investment in latest
Equities campaign. kids, DJ and Jayden. Another highlight was sharing
experiences with Heather, who has been supporting advances in medical technology, better facilities,
Starship champions. 6-7 Aisha embodies all of the qualities we were looking for in our search best people, training and development. But in line
the Foundation, and nurse scholarships, for almost
for a new Chief Executive: leadership, vision, inspiration, and an with global best practice we are increasing our
10 years. And of course I can’t forget meeting and
“Thank you for saving my enormous compassion for all New Zealand’s children. efforts to invest in research and innovation targeting
being inspired by the amazing work of our clinicians,
baby’s life...” 8-9 I am looking forward to supporting Aisha through the ambitious an additional $5 million per annum.
nurses and all staff.
programme of development As one of our greatest supporters and champions,
Making new treatments All of these wonderful experiences have provided
that we have before us, I know that you’ll be there with us, as we push
possible. 10 - 11 me with great encouragement as I take on the
significantly growing our ahead looking for new and innovative ways to break
mandate to improve the health outcomes for our
funds for Starship. I am through. I am really looking forward to working with
Thank you ASB. 12 children. The ambition is to give all Kiwi kids the
sure you will join me in you and keeping you informed of our progress every
best chance of tomorrow, today. Of the 40 richest
welcoming Aisha into our step of the way.
Thank you New World. 13 countries, New Zealand is ranked 38 out of 40 for
wonderful Starship family.
good health and well-being of children. This is why With my warmest regards,
You’re invited. 14 both Starship and the Foundation has a renewed
Regards, sense of urgency.
Extra special gift... 15
Martin Wiseman Together with our trustees and Starship
Chair, Starship Foundation management, Dr John Beca, Dr Mike Shepherd,
Sarah Little and Emma Maddren, we are Aisha
Aisha with Directors of Starship Child Health, Dr Mike Shepherd and Dr John Beca. Pictured: Aisha with Starship patient Jayden.
2 We love hearing from you. Please phone us on 0800 STARSHIP To make a secure donation online, please visit 3
(0800 782 774) to make a donation. www.starship.org.nz/donate
Could you run for their lives? “Our little
warrior.”
Run alongside everyone who believes Starship kids are
worth fighting for! On the morning of August 1st 2015 I
Whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned-roadster, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Olive
we would love you to join us at the 2018 ASB Auckland Marama. I had a healthy pregnancy, a
Marathon, and become a superhero for Starship kids. natural labour and everything seemed
Starship mum, Tracy Nicholls ran in last year’s ASB perfect. But five hours after Olive was born she Chelsie and the team who
ran for Olive at Round the
Auckland Marathon and she’s already signed up to run had a seizure. And she continued to seize every
Bays this year.
again this October. “It is not an understatement to say few hours.
Starship saved both my babies’ lives. And for this I will
always be thankful!”
Because of her abnormal brain activity we were
told she would almost certainly be profoundly
Running for Starship is Tracy’s way of ‘giving back’, and disabled, and quite likely not survive beyond Olive thriving at
she finds that running for Starship helps her on several two years-old. We were devastated, but we accepted
home.
levels. Without the world class care and facilities at
this worst case scenario, knowing we would love
“Pounding the pavement is a way to get away from the our girl however she was. We made the choice to Starship, our story would have likely unfolded
everyday stuff for a little while. It keeps me active. And fully believe in her ability to heal and thrive. with a much less happy outcome. We will be
it raises money for Starship,” she says. “It’s incredibly forever grateful to Starship in the most profound
rewarding to be able to give back to an organisation After long months of testing and investigation, way.
that saved both of my children and continues to care Olive’s doctors discovered the root of her epilepsy -
for our daughter.” a rare and relatively unknown genetic mutation Olive’s mum, Chelsie.
Each year kind-hearted Kiwis like Tracy participate in or of the KCNQ2 gene. It has been a rollercoaster
organise unique fundraising events, big and small, in of medications and hospital visits since, but as That’s why Chelsie and her family joined the Starship
Tracy with her family. of this January, at two and a half, Olive is off Round the Bays team this year. And why they give
their communities to help Starship families.
medication and seizure free for the first time a regular monthly donation to Starship by direct
If you’d like to hear more about joining Team credit. To help those families still in the trenches, so
Starship in the 2018 Auckland Marathon, please
since she was one day old.
that Starship can continue to change their lives by
don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Her development is now 100% on par with her offering the same top level of care Olive received.
Community Fundraising Executive, peers. At our last appointment, her neurologist
Charlotte Bennett on 09 307 8949. Join Chelsie and become a regular giver today.
used the word “miracle” several times. Get in touch with Jodie Queenin if you’d like to
hear more at jodieq@adhb.govt.nz
If you would like to hold your own fundraising event for Starship, To find out more about donating monthly, please call Jodie on
4 5
contact Charlotte on charlotteben@adhb.govt.nz 0800 STARSHIP or 09 375 3445.
Starship Champions! And our runners up are...
Meet some amazing Starship staff who go above and beyond Grace Harris: Diabetes Nurse Specialist Chanel Prestidge: Paediatric Consultant,
for sick and injured children... Grace has been helping Renal Services
Chanel joined Starship
Our Five Star Partner Barfoot & Thompson has been then choosing one winner was a very difficult task children through the Hospital in 2011 and
absolutely incredible over the last 15 years. Not just indeed.” challenges of young life specialises in looking
because they’ve raised $2.5 million for Starship, with diabetes for 29 years. after children who
We received some truly heart-warming feedback
but also because they’re always looking for new On top of her day job she have serious kidney
and personal stories about the wonderful work of
and innovative ways to acknowledge the amazing also volunteers for a wide problems, particularly
the 153 people nominated. We’d love to share it
Starship staff for their hard work. range of camps and trips those whose kidneys
all with you, but unfortunately we only have room
That’s why they decided to find a Starship Champion for our top five, who you can read about below and run by Diabetes Youth are failing, and who
to send on a trip to the Commonwealth Games overleaf. Congratulations to them all! And thank you Auckland. She loves being need dialysis or a
on the Gold Coast in April this year. They asked Barfoot & Thompson! part of the journey of kidney transplant.
the public, patients, families and Starship Hospital families with whom she Described as ‘an
staff to nominate the Starship employees who they Our grand prize winner! works, often staying in absolute blessing’ by
believed had gone the extra mile for sick and injured touch with her young patients as they grow up, find one of her transplant families, Chanel often works with
children and their families. Julie Smith: Staff Nurse, Emergency jobs, get married and have children of their own. children from birth through to adulthood, and loves
being part of this ‘amazing’ journey.
Nominations were made via voting boxes around
Starship Hospital and through Facebook, and by the
Department Benaz Dias: Ward Clerk - Children’s
Julie at the Commonwealth Games
end of the week-long voting period, we had 153 ‘A true living angel’,
‘the real deal’,
Heart Ward 23B Won-Kon Bong: Social Worker
individual nominations for our judges to consider. Patients love her, and
‘amazing with children’, Described as ‘a social
Starship staff say they
The judging panel was made up of Olympians Dylan ‘incomparable’. worker extraordinaire’
would be lost without
Schmidt (trampoline), Julia Edward (rowing) and These are just a few of by one family, Won-Kon
her. ‘Mama Benaz’
Tracey Lambrechs (weight lifting), as well as Barfoot the ways the people loves his job working
as she is known to
& Thompson Managing Director, Peter Thompson; who nominated Julie with families who have
all, has been the
Starship Hospital General Manager, Emma Maddren; described her. Julie children with disabilities, or
friendly, welcoming
and Starship Foundation former CEO, Brad Clark. has worked in our medically fragile conditions.
face of Ward 23B for
As Peter Thompson said: “There are so many amazing Emergency Department He says the best part of
the past 14 years.
doctors, nurses, health workers, anaesthetists, play for 20 years, and helped countless families through his job is seeing children
“Sometimes that
specialists and others at Starship. As far as we’re some of the toughest moments of their lives when they grow happier and families
one hug can make
concerned, they are all worthy of the title Starship are at their most vulnerable. After spending time with becoming more confident
all the difference,” she
Champion. So narrowing it down to a top five and Julie you are left in no doubt about how cared for and says. Benaz loves her job and says she goes home as they work together. “To see a child with a smiley
safe she makes families feel. “happy-tired” every day. face is just awesome!” he says.
6 Become our friend on Facebook. We’d love to hear from you. 11
7
Join us at facebook.com/starshipfoundation Tag us with #StarshipStars or #StarshipFoundation
“Thank you so much for saving Top left: Indiana recovering in PICU.
my baby’s life!” says mum, Nicola.
Middle right: Indiana is totally healthy now,” says Nicola. “And
he’s a really fun and happy little dude.”
Bottom left: Starship mum, Nicola and little Indiana.
In February last year, 7-day-old Indiana was flown from Hamilton to Starship, close to death.
Thanks to supporters like you, our doctors had the equipment they needed to save his life.
Today, he’s a happy little boy, and his mum Nicola wants to say thank you.
I want to start by saying that everyone at play in funding it. It was a real eye opener.
Starship is just amazing. It’s not until you need And I want to tell you about Indiana, because of
it that you realise just how amazing it is. what you did for him.
My baby wouldn’t be alive otherwise. He was He’s a really kind natured child. His favourite
so happy in the womb and then he came out into thing is quality time with the ones he loves.
this crazy world and it was horrible. Seven days He loves music lessons and building with his
old and he nearly died. daddy. He’s gentle and I think he’s going to be
The older Indiana gets, the more we a good person. And in a way, I think he has a
appreciate what we nearly lost. When he was responsibility to be a good person. Because of
flown to Starship that day, we loved him so the time, and the money and the effort and
much, but we didn’t really ‘know’ him yet. the love that went into saving his life. The
But now, two years later, we do know him. helicopter, the pilot, the surgeons, the nurses, When we wrote to you about Indiana over the
And his little personality. So it’s even more the medication, the equipment, the care he summer, you responded so generously! Together
received, and the supporters like you who amazing Starship supporters like you raised an
traumatic to think that we could’ve lost him. incredible $250,330.
made it all possible.
Without a doubt, Starship saved his life. This has already enabled us to buy the two pieces
Without the helicopter. Without his nurses He’s just one little baby – but you all stopped of lifesaving equipment we told you about: a
and his surgeons. I know what would have at nothing to give him the best care. And I can Stortz flexible intubation Video Endoscope; and a
happened. And without you too. Because it never thank you enough. Fisher & Paykel Airvo 2 Humidifier. As well as help
to fund postgraduate study for PICU nurses.
wasn’t until we needed Starship, that we Thank you for saving my baby’s life.
Thank you so much for helping us to save more
realised just how big a part people like you Nicola Thompson. lives and help more little ones like Indiana!
8
If you would like to receive our newsletter, To make a secure donation online, please visit 9
please phone us on 0800 STARSHIP www.starship.org.nz/donate
Making new treatments possible.
.nz
nd Herald/newspix.co
Clinical research is critical to improving healthcare
Your support is now enabling Starship’s highly was diagnosed with a transposition of the great
Photo source: New Zeala
skilled clinicians to tackle healthcare challenges by arteries, in which the aorta and pulmonary artery
trialling new ways to diagnose and treat children. are opposite to where they should be. This had
not been picked up during Silivia’s pregnancy.
In 2017 the Foundation began funding a wide
Six days later Tu’amelie had open heart surgery
variety of clinical research projects in response to a
to repair a problem that could have killed him if
request from the leadership of Starship, who know
left undiagnosed and untreated. Now almost 2,
that hospital-based research is key to improving the
Tu’amelie is a happy, healthy and active little boy.
lives of seriously ill children now and in the future.
The study, set to finish in a few months’ time, is
Over $1.2 million of donations has been committed
led by Dr Tom Gentles, the director of Starship’s
over the past 16 months into research and
national paediatric cardiac service. With 80 babies
innovation initiatives that will accelerate the pace
being born with critical heart defects in New
of change, bring new treatments, smarter ways
Zealand each year, he estimates that nationwide
of delivering them and also help retain Starship’s her son Tu’amelie.
pulse oximetry screening could result in earlier Silivia Faingata’a with
brightest minds.
diagnosis of about 15 babies a year, giving them a
Fourteen months on and results from some of better chance of survival. Silivia is grateful for the
the first projects to be funded are starting to be test that saved her son’s life and is keen for the test
revealed. And the benefits to our young patients to be available to others.
are apparent.
Thanks to your generosity, 13 other clinical research
Silivia Faingata’a’s son Tu’amelie had a heart projects are currently underway, looking at issues
condition picked up as part of one of these such as the high incidence of teenage suicide and
Starship studies; a trial to test the feasibility of a depression and the incidence of brain injury and
new national screening programme for critical neurodevelopmental delays in infants requiring
congenital heart disease using pulse oximetry. life-saving heart surgery. Another early study is using
After the quick test alerted the medical team to the latest genomic technologies to diagnose and
his low oxygen level shortly after birth, Tu’amelie help treat inherited brain and muscle diseases.
A pulse oximetry sensor
like this was used to scr
een Tu’amelie.
If you are interested in supporting a clinical research project, Keep up to date with our latest news at
10 11
please phone Lesley or Christine on 09 307 4957. www.starship.org.nz/foundation/latest-news/
A big thank you to ASB for ground- One million more reasons to
breaking innovation in CED. thank New World,
The newly refurbished Children’s Emergency Department assessment and waiting and their customers too.
area is complete thanks to an amazing $1 million committed by ASB and their
customers. Thank you!
You did it! Our Five Star Partner, ASB together with The newly transformed area now helps the team
their wonderful customers have raised an amazing at Starship Hospital to provide the best possible
$1million to complete the refurbishment of our emergency healthcare for New Zealand children
Children’s Emergency Department assessment and whilst also lifting children’s spirits and enhancing
waiting area. the family experience during difficult times.
More than 34,000 children come through Starship’s Thank you ASB. Thank you ASB customers. And
Children’s Emergency Department waiting room thank you to everyone who has generously
every year, but the original department was built supported this wonderful development.
in 2003 and was in need of a major makeover to
improve patient flow and enhance the experience
of children and their families.
2014 was a landmark year with New World joining our Five Star Partner
Thanks to ASB’s investment the refurbishment work
programme. In February this year they passed an amazing milestone, surpassing
started in January this year and was completed in
April.
$1 million dollars raised!
And if you’re a New World customer, that means have become dependent on tube feeding and need
The updated area includes a technology ‘first’ you helped them get there. Thank you so much for support with being weaned off when the time is right.
for a New Zealand hospital, in the form of two helping us in yet another amazing way.
interactive technology zones: the “ Starship These major projects and the many other little ways
Animal Check-Ups” and the “Magic Forest”. These Over the last four years New World and customers in which New World constantly supports our patients
interactive spaces help distract patients and like you have funded so many awesome projects, like and our staff – like delivering fresh fruit every week to
prepare them for treatment, as well as helping to the Level 5 parent kitchens, new equipment for our our parent kitchens – are the mark of an organisation
calm anxious parents and families. The idea came Newborn Intensive Care Unit, the Little Star Garden for that truly cares about New Zealand’s children and
out of a shared vision between ASB and Starship Starship families to enjoy, and New Zealand’s first ever their families.
Children’s Emergency Department staff to build a Multi-Disciplinary Feeding Clinic, which helps patients
Thank you New World, and thank you to
new kind of waiting area for Kiwi kids. with eating difficulties, like little ones who
Scarlett, 3, first patient in the newly refurbished Children’s ED. everyone who shops with you.
12 A huge thank you to our corporate partners: 13
You’re invited. Will you help Starship take on the huge challenges
that lay ahead of us, by sending an extra gift today?
Hi, East & South Auckland:
27-28 June Yes! I want to help Kiwi kids who need Starship.
My name is Karen Blake. My role at the Starship
North & West Auckland:
Foundation sees me travelling all around New Warkworth/
22-23 August My donation details: Donation amount: $
Zealand holding presentations and meeting our Whangarei:
Guardian Angels and other wonderful supporters 4-5 July Cheque: Please find enclosed my cheque made payable to Starship Foundation
who care so much about the health and wellbeing BOP area/ Credit Card: Please debit my card
of New Zealand’s children. Tauranga:
Hamilton/Waikato: 16-18 October Visa MasterCard Diners Amex Please fill in this form
If you would like to join me for a personal and 12-13 September
and send it with your
meaningful insight into Starship, the children Card Number:
donation to:
you are helping, and how your support is making Palmerston North Hawke’s Bay Starship Foundation,
such a difference in transforming the lives of our Name on card:
area: 9-10 May area: PO Box 91939,
Starship children, please get in touch. You are 6
22 May Signature: Victoria Street West,
always welcome to bring a friend along, the more Auckland 1142.
the merrier. I would also be happy to speak at an Nelson: Rotorua & Taupo: /
Expiry date: Or, you can donate
organisation or a group you are part of. 26-27 September 7 June over the phone on
Mostly these events are small, informal, really 0800 STARSHIP
My contact details: please fill out your contact details so we can send you a receipt
friendly get-togethers held at local community Blenheim: (0800 782 774)
venues and are about how your support has an 14 November Full name:
impact on the experiences children and their
Christchurch:
families are having at Starship. Address:
1November
It is a privilege to have your support so I do hope
you can join me as I travel around New Zealand this
Dunedin:
year or next. I would love to meet you personally,
28-29 November
to have a coffee or tea with you and share with you Email:
the magic of Starship.
If you would like to attend a Starship Supporter In early 2019, I look forward to visiting and meeting you in: Phone:
morning or afternoon tea please February: Queenstown / Cromwell
phone me on 027 376 4211. March: Ashburton/ Timaru Donations of $5 or more are tax deductible.
March: Invercargill / Gore Registered Charity CC24272
I hope to see you soon. April: Masterton / Wellington It is with the support of people like you that the Starship Foundation can continue helping ill and injured children throughout New Zealand. We would like to keep in touch with you and keep
May: Far North
Karen May: Kapiti
you informed about this work. The Starship Foundation recognises the importance of your privacy and the need to safeguard your personal information. We are careful with all your details and
will use them to contact you about issues we believe will be important to you. If you do not wish to receive further communications from the Starship Foundation please call on 0800 STARSHIP
or tick this box and return this form to PO Box 9389, Newmarket, Auckland 1149. Unsubscribe.
14
To find out more about becoming a Starship Guardian Angel, please To make a secure donation online, please 15
contact Karen on 027 376 4211 or kblake@adhb.govt.nz visit www.starship.org.nz/donate
Friendship
Autumn 2018 Giving is the best medicine
‘A true ‘Amazing
living
with
angel’ children’
Julie Smith -
Starship Champions
Starship CED nurse
and the Barfoot &
Thompson Starship
P6 Champion.
You can also read
